Car-coupling



(No Model.)

G.F.BLLS. GAR 'GOUPLING.

Patented July 6, 1886.

' MMM.,

ilNirE 1 j STATES v ATENT OFFICE.

CAR-COUPLINGI SIJECIFICATION fori-ning part of Letters Patent No.344,955, dated July 6, 1886.

Application filed May l5, 1886.v Serial No. 202,313.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. ELLs, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Binghamton, in the county .of Broome, State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Oar-Oouplers,ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for coupling-cars; andthe objects of my improvements are to provide a simple and inexpensivecoupling device, whereby in cars having a link and pins for coupling twodraw-bars together the coupling-link may be raised or moved laterallyand guided into the mouth of the opposite drawbar and the coupling-pininserted through the link, so as to couple the two draw-bars togetherwithout danger to the hands and arms of persons coupling cars. Iaccomplish these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure l is a front viewof a portion of a carprovided with a safety-coupling device constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same. Eig. 3 is atop view of the same. Eig. 4 is a perspective view of the couplinglever,its shackle, and links of its supportingchain.

In the drawings, A represents a portion of the end of `a freight-car,and A the frame or platform thereof at the end of the car, to which issecured in the usual manner the draw-head B between the bumpers C. Thesebumpers are shown in the position now most commonly adopted onfreightcars. They are close to and nearly cover the draw-head, andrender the operation ot` coupling-cars very dangerous to persons7 handsand arms, although they permit a persons body to enter between theplatforms.

To facilitate the coupling of draw-heads and the raising, lowering, orthe laterally moving (as the case may require) of the couplinglink D, alever, E, is used. Thislever is preferably usedvv about two feetlong oftive-eighths round iron or low-grade steel, and about onehalf of itslength is flattened, so that its crosssection is about three-sixteenthsby one and one-quarter inch. The extreme end of the flat part ofthelever is made wider than the balance, and is rounded at e, to partlyenter between the two sides of the link and keep it from (No model.)

slipping off the lever when said link is being raised to enter the mouthof the draw-head of an approaching car. The round part of the leverforms the handle, and although I' prefer to make it short, as shown,relatively to the width of the ear, it may upon some cars be made longenough to extend to the side thereof. rIhe lever E is suspended from theend of a chain, F, the last link of which either passes through the flatportion of the lever adjacent to its handle or carries a shackle, thepin f of which passes through that portion of the lever. The oppositeend of the chain (about four feet long) is secured by a staple orbolt,f", to the end A of the car half-way between the two sides ordirectly above the draw-head, so that the lever can as .conveniently beoperated from either side of the draw-head, as said lever has a movablefulcrum that can be swung on either side of said draw-head, and thechain E presents a safety brace or support for the brakesman, if heleans forward or rests on his knees upon the platform A of a caradvancing towardI another. and he can from his perch use either vhand tooperate the lever and properly direct the coupling-link. rI lhe lever issuspended at such a height that it shall be about horizontal whenholding the link horizontally. Then not in use, thelever may be hungupon a pin or hook or slipped into a pocket attached to or in a recessmade iu the car.

I am aware that cars have been provided with levers pivoted tostationaryv brackets pendent from the under side of the platform; but Iam not aware that the same lever could be used indiscriminately andinstantly from 'either side ofthe draw-head or from the platform aboveit to guide the coupling-link.

The device is inexpensive. It can be attached in a few minutes to afreight-car, and prevents injury to the hands and arms of personscoupling cars.

Having now fully described my invention, I claim- In combination withthe end of a car and a chain pivoted thereto above its draw-head, alever fulcrumcd upon said chain, substantial-ly as and for the purposedescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Vitnesses: GEORGE F. ELLS.

STEWART E. BUTLER, JOHN T. WHITMORE.

IOO

